Meeting Notes 2-13-24
Meeting Notes from the February 13, 2024 Meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.
Meeting Packet: https://www.miottawa.org/CalendarDocs/2024/1707509687345-packet.PDF
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT8yWj6Hhh4
Sentinel Meeting Roundup: https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/politics/county/2024/02/13/i-know-we-can-do-better-pastor-suing-ottawa-county-gives-invocation-in-tense-meeting/72587333007/
Sentinel Tweet-Thread: https://x.com/SentinelLeach/status/1757403707891765248?s=20
Ottawa Sands Lake Loop Construction: The Board voted to accept the bid from McCormick Sand, Inc, in the amount of $788,314.25 for construction of the Lake Loop project at Ottawa Sands and forward to the Board of Commissioners for final approval. Furthermore, the Parks Commission requests that the Fiscal Services Department transfers $150,000 from CP2208 Ottawa Sands Development Phase 1 {Parks contribution) to CP2302 Ottawa Sands Lake Loop, to fully fund this project with contingency for a total project amount of $891,844.
Ottawa Sands Day Use Restroom Construction: The Board voted approve the bid from Denny's Excavating in the amount of $510,000 for construction of the day use restroom at Ottawa Sands and forward to the Board of Commissioners for final approval. Furthermore, the Parks Commission requests that the Fiscal Services Department transfers $100,000 from CP2208 Ottawa Sands Development Phase 1 (Parks contribution) to CP2301 Ottawa Sands Restroom, to fully fund this project with contingency for a total project amount of $585,000.
2025 Budget Calendar: The Board voted to approve the 2025 Budget Calendar.
I was heartened that there were amendments made to the calendar to make the budget process more inclusive of all commissioners. I hope we are to continue to make changes so that the entirety of our Budget discussions involve all commissioners.
Strategic Plan Funds Request: The Board voted seven to four to approve a request from Administration to issue an RFP for up to $100,000 to procure vendor options for the county's strategic plan, with vendor review and approval to be done at the Strategic Planning Committee.
I voted no because I believe pursuing a vendor contract for $100,000 to process and produce cost of service metrics is not warranted at this moment. I believe this Board needs to first work through the overall direction and values it wants to see in county services before we actually begin the process of measuring those services.
I believe the most important part of our strategic plan in the past was its focus on narrative because it allowed the Board and our department heads to tell the story of what they want to see, and what residents can expect and count on. I am not against having a firm come in and help us refine the plan at some point, or in a year or so, help us measure implementation, once we’ve had a chance to work through it. But I worry that having such a heavy focus on measuring results, especially now that the the Finance Committee is already now doing this work, when we really have not sat down ourselves with staff to develop a vision is in many ways getting ahead of ourselves in the order of things.
Public Health FTE Request: The Board approved the request from Public Health to increase the FTE for a Community Health Nurse from 0.5 FTE to 0.6 FTE at a cost of $9,130.
Seasonal Employee Wages: The Board approved the request from Parks to modify the pay rates for seasonal employees and to be annually adjusted by the cost-of-living provided to general Group T employees.
Full Faith and Credit Pledges for Drain Notes and Bonds: The Board approved a resolution pledging the county's full faith and credit to a drain note or bonds.
Sheriff’s Office Vehicle Uplifting Contract: The Board approved the contract for vehicle uplifting services.
FY2024 Budget Adjustments: The Board the FY2024 budget adjustments per the above schedule.
Authorization to Retain Legal Services: The Board voted to retain Brook Bisonet and his firm, Guinan Bisonet, PLLC, to provide legal services in connection with the January 15, 2024 letter to the board from Butzel regarding Administrator John Gibbs.
I voted yes on this measure so that there an additional layer of impartiality when it comes to employee litigation. I do hope moreover that we are able to put together a formal policy around the provision of legal services to the county when there is litigation or potential litigation involving an active employee.
Hiring and Transfer Freeze: The Board voted to implement a hiring freeze and transfer freeze that applies to proposed hires and transfers by the Ottawa County Administrator, effective immediately, until further notice.
I voted no on this measure because I am concerned that this might establish a precedent whereby any employee involved in litigation might have their ability to fully do their job while litigation or potential litigation is ongoing.
